Configuration for fixing a slide-in unit in a cage of a computer

ABSTRACT

A configuration for securing a slide-in unit in a cage of a computer by plastic retaining rails that are attached on the side of the slide-in unit and guide rails that are secured at the cage. The retaining rails are insertable into the guide rails and securable at the guide rails by resilient elements and resilient stops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a configuration for fixing a slide-inunit in a cage of a computer by plastic retaining rails that can beattached at the side of the slide-in unit.

[0002] A fixing configuration is known from FIG. 1 of European PatentApplication 0 834 880 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,987 toAllirot et al. In the cage, the retaining rails typically rest on flapsthat are stamped out of the cage and are bent inward.

[0003] A problem with this configuration is that, with a slide-inassembly installed, the configuration has a certain degree of playbetween the cage and the retaining rails in the vertical, horizontal,and slide-in directions. For that reason, the slide-in unit is notsufficiently secured in the slide-in cage. During the operation of theslide-in assembly, problems arise due to vibrations, and the perfectoperation of the slide-in unit is disrupted. Such problems ariseprimarily in new-generation hard disks with increasingly greatertrack-densities and higher rotation speeds.

[0004] It is expensive and inconvenient for the customer to screw theslide-in unit in at the cage as recommended by the manufacturers of theslide-in units because of the time and tools such action requires. Onthe other hand, dropped screws can cause problems in the computer suchas shorts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide aconfiguration for fixing a slide-in unit in a cage of a computer thatovercomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of theheretofore-known devices of this general type and that fixes theretaining rails that are fastened to the slide-in assembly in a cagethat prevents vibrations while ensuring easy assembly.

[0006] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided,in accordance with the invention, a configuration for securing aslide-in unit in a cage of a computer, including plastic retaining railsto be attached on a side of the slide-in unit and plastic guide rails tobe attached to the cage, the retaining rails slidably inserting into theguide rails for securing the slide-in unit in the cage. The inventionprovides plastic guide rails at the cage into which the retaining railscan be inserted.

[0007] The length and width of the guide rails are somewhat larger thanthose of the retaining rails. A section of the guide rail cut throughits long side has a U profile. The center leg hereof corresponds to thewidth of the retaining rails. The terminal legs of the U aresufficiently short to have the guide rail not touch the slide-in unitwhen the retaining rail is in the inserted condition.

[0008] In accordance with another feature of the invention, there arealso provided resilient elements disposed on at least one of the guiderails and the retaining rails. The guide rails can include resilientelements at each of the three legs of the U and at the end of the longside for purposes of centering and fixing the retaining rails. Theresilient elements can also be realized on the retaining rail. Theconfiguration of resilient elements makes it possible to optimallyabsorb vibrations given ideal fixing of the slide-in unit.

[0009] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, theresilient elements are adapted to secure the disk drive horizontallyand/or vertically.

[0010] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the guiderails have first and second ends, resilient stops are disposed at thefirst ends, and counterlatches are disposed at the second ends.

[0011] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, thereis provided a latching mechanism. The retaining rails are slidablyinserted into the guide rails in an insertion direction. Thecounterlatches of the guide rails, in conjunction with the latchingmechanism and the resilient stops of the guide rails, secure theretaining rails in the insertion direction. Preferably, the latchingmechanism is disposed on the retaining rails.

[0012] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, theresilient elements and the resilient stops are in one piece or areintegral with the guide rails.

[0013] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, theguide rails and the retaining rails are of different plastics.Absorption is further enhanced by the utilization of plastics withdifferent eigenfrequencies for the retaining rails and the guide rails.That way, the rails dampen one another, which prevents amplification orconduction of the vibrations.

[0014] In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, theguide rails have an outside surface and tabs on the outside surface forattaching the guide rails to the cage in corresponding boreholes of thecage. For a faster and easier assembly of the guide rails at the cage,tabs are provided on the exterior of the guide rails, with which theguide rails can be inserted into corresponding holes in the cage.Corresponding ribs on the tabs are displaced during the insertionprocess and, thereby, guarantee a seating without play. Preferably, thetabs have ribs on outside surfaces.

[0015] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, theguide rails each have a contact window.

[0016] Such a configuration makes possible a very simple cageconstruction because all the mechanisms that are needed for securing areconstructed at the plastic rails.

[0017] Other features that are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0018] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein asembodied in a configuration for fixing a slide-in unit in a cage of acomputer, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the detailsshown because various modifications and structural changes may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention and withinthe scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0019] The construction and method of operation of the invention,however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interior of a guide railaccording to the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exterior of the guide rail ofFIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a slide-in unit after itsinsertion into a cage with the aid of guide rails and retaining railsaccording to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the guide rail ofFIG. 1 with a retaining rail according to the invention receivedtherein; and

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a slide-in unit with retaining andguide rails according to the invention attached thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown the side of a guide rail1 into which a retaining rail 7 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5) can be inserted.

[0026] Resilient elements 2, which are built in one piece with the guiderail 1, are located at each leg 9,10 of the guide rail so that theinserted retaining rail 7 is secured horizontally and vertically.

[0027] According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the resilient elements2 are realized at the retaining rail 7. Therefore, the resilientelements 2 are no longer necessary at the guide rail 1 at the positionswhere resilient elements 2 are provided on the retaining rail 7.

[0028] A resilient stop 11 is constructed at one end of the guide rail1. At the other end, the guide rail 1 includes a counterlatch 15, whichworks in conjunction with a corresponding latch or latching means 12 atthe retaining rail 7. See FIG. 4.

[0029] The resilient stop 11, the latch 12, and the counterlatch 15 fixthe retaining rail 7 and, with it, a slide-in unit 6, in the directionof insertion.

[0030]FIG. 2 illustrates the side of the guide rail 1 that abuts a cage5 in the inserted condition. See FIG. 3. Tabs 3 are provided on thisside, with which the retaining rail 7 can be attached to the cage 5 incorresponding holes 8.

[0031] There are longitudinal ribs 4 on the outside surface of the tabs3, which guarantee a seating of the guide rail 1 in the cage 5 withoutplay. The ribs 4 compensate for imprecisions and are at least partlydisplaced during insertion into the borehole 8.

[0032]FIG. 3 illustrates the cage 5 following the insertion of aslide-in unit 6 by retaining rails 7 and guide rails 1. As can be seenin FIG. 3, the tabs 3 protrude out of the holes 8 to the outside of thecage 5.

[0033]FIG. 4 illustrates the guide rail 1 of FIG. 1 with the retainingrail 7 inserted therein.

[0034] The retaining rail 7 is secured by the resilient elements 2, theresilient stop 11, and the interaction of the latch 12 and thecounterlatch 15.

[0035] There is a contact spring 13 located at the retaining rail 7,which produces conductive contact between the slide-in unit 6 and thecage 5 by way of a contact window 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) in the guiderail 1. This grounds the slide-in unit.

[0036]FIG. 5 illustrates the slide-in unit 6 following the attachment ofthe retaining rail 7 and the insertion of the unit 6 into the guide rail1. FIG. 5 shows the contact spring 13 protruding from the contact window14.

We claim:
 1. A configuration for securing a slide-in unit in a cage of acomputer, comprising: plastic retaining rails to be attached on a sideof the slide-in unit; and plastic guide rails to be attached to thecage, said retaining rails slidably inserting into said guide rails forsecuring the slide-in unit in the cage.
 2. The configuration accordingto claim 1, further comprising resilient elements disposed on at leastone of said guide rails and said retaining rails.
 3. The configurationaccording to claim 2, wherein said resilient elements are adapted tosecure the disk drive at least one of horizontally and vertically. 4.The configuration according to claim 2, wherein said resilient elementsare adapted to secure the disk drive horizontally and vertically.
 5. Theconfiguration according to claim 1, wherein: said guide rails each havea first end; and at least one resilient stop is disposed at said firstend of said guide rails.
 6. The configuration according to claim 5,wherein: said guide rails each have a second end; and at least onecounterlatch is disposed at said second end of said guide rails.
 7. Theconfiguration according to claim 1, wherein: said guide rails have firstends; and resilient stops are disposed at said first ends of said guiderails.
 8. The configuration according to claim 5, wherein: said guiderails have second ends; and counterlatches are disposed at said secondends of said guide rails.
 9. The configuration according to claim 8,further comprising a latching mechanism, said retaining rails slidablyinserting into said guide rails in an insertion direction, saidcounterlatches of said guide rails in conjunction with said latchingmechanism and said resilient stops of said guide rails securing saidretaining rails in said insertion direction.
 10. The configurationaccording to claim 9, wherein said latching mechanism is disposed onsaid retaining rails.
 11. The configuration according to claim 7,wherein: said resilient elements are adapted to secure the disk drive atleast one of horizontally and vertically; and said resilient elementsand said resilient stops are in one piece with said guide rails.
 12. Theconfiguration according to claim 7, wherein: said resilient elements areadapted to secure the disk drive at least one of horizontally andvertically; and said resilient elements and said resilient stops areintegral with said guide rails.
 13. The configuration according to claim1, wherein said guide rails and said retaining rails are of differentplastics.
 14. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said guiderails have: an outside surface; and tabs on said outside surface forattaching said guide rails to the cage in corresponding boreholes of thecage.
 15. The configuration according to claim 14, wherein said tabshave outside surfaces and ribs on said outside surfaces.
 16. Theconfiguration according to claim 1, wherein said guide rails each have acontact window.
 17. A configuration for securing a slide-in unit in acage of a computer, comprising: plastic guide rails to be attached tothe cage, said guide rails having: first ends; second ends; resilientstops disposed at said first ends, said resilient stops being integralwith said guide rails; and counterlatches disposed at said second ends;plastic retaining rails to be attached on a side of the slide-in unit,said retaining rails slidably inserting into said guide rails in aninsertion direction for securing the slide-in unit in the cage;resilient elements disposed on at least one of said guide rails and saidretaining rails, said resilient elements being integral with said guiderails and being adapted to secure the disk drive at least one ofhorizontally and vertically; and a latching mechanism in conjunctionwith said counterlatches and said resilient stops securing saidretaining rails in said insertion direction.
 18. A configuration forsecuring a slide-in unit in a cage of a computer, the cage havingboreholes, comprising: plastic guide rails to be attached to the cage,said guide rails having: first ends; second ends; contact windows;resilient stops disposed at said first ends, said resilient stops beingintegral with said guide rails; counterlatches disposed at said secondends; rail outside surfaces; and tabs on said rail outside surfaces forattaching said guide rails to the cage in corresponding ones of theboreholes, said tabs having tab outside surfaces and ribs on said taboutside surfaces; plastic retaining rails to be attached on a side ofthe slide-in unit, said retaining rails slidably inserting into saidguide rails in an insertion direction for securing the slide-in unit inthe cage, said retaining rails and said guide rails being of differentplastics; resilient elements disposed on at least one of said guiderails and said retaining rails, said resilient elements being integralwith said guide rails and being adapted to secure the disk drive atleast one of horizontally and vertically; and said latching mechanismbeing disposed on said retaining rails, said latching mechanism, inconjunction with said counterlatches and said resilient stops, securingsaid retaining rails in said insertion direction.